LAURA’S POV
The paper slipped from my fingers and floated to the ground like a white flag in a war I never agreed to fight.
“He’s what?” I breathed, grabbing Ivy’s shoulders.
“Elijah,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “He’s missing. His phone’s dead, and his car was found abandoned near the river bend.”
“No... No, he wouldn’t—he wouldn’t just disappear!” I turned toward the door, heart pounding against my ribs like it wanted to escape.
“Elijah wouldn’t leave without telling me. Not unless—” My voice caught.
Unless something happened.
Unless someone made him vanish.
Liam.
The name crashed into my thoughts like thunder. He had motive. He had resources. He wanted me broken and stripped of every shield.
“Elijah could be hurt,” Ivy muttered. “Or worse.”
“No!” I shook my head viole
